Steam generator and controlling method thereof

ABSTRACT

A steam generator and a controlling method thereof are disclosed. The steam generator includes a housing for containing water, a heater for heating the water in the housing, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the heater according to an inner pressure of the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2007-0078068, filed on Aug. 3, 2007 & 10-2007-0078069, filed on Aug. 3, 2007, which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a steam generator, and more particularly to a steam generator capable of automatically controlling an on/off operation of a heater according to an inner pressure.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Recently, clothes treating machines, for example, a washing machine, a dryer and a refresher, mostly include a steam generator for supplying steam to clothes.

In the washing machine, the steam supplied in an initial period allows the clothes to quickly get wet, the steam supplied in a rinsing operation provides a sterilizing effect, and the steam supplied in a drying operation removes wrinkles from the clothes. Also, the steam sprayed in the dryer or the refresher provides a sterilizing effect, removes wrinkles from the clothes, and swells the clothes to provide a refresh effect.

In order to spray the steam in the clothes treating machine, generally, a steam generator for generating steam is provided at one side of the clothes treating machine. The steam generator generates steam by heating water contained in a housing using a heater. In a case of heating water, a high pressure is applied to the housing containing water. When a high pressure is applied to the housing, if a steam discharge port for spraying steam is clogged with foreign matter, a pressure abnormally increases in the housing, thereby causing damage to the steam generator or explosion.

However, the conventional steam generator is not provided with a unit for detecting a pressure of the steam generator to automatically control an operation of the steam generator. Accordingly, a user should manually check the pressure of the steam generator, thereby causing inconvenience to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a steam generator and a controlling method thereof that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a steam generator capable of automatically controlling an on/off operation of a heater according to an inner pressure.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a steam generator comprises: a housing for containing water; a heater for heating the water in the housing; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the heater according to an inner pressure of the housing.

Preferably, the control unit controls the operation of the heater to be stopped if the inner pressure of the housing is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.

Preferably, the control unit includes a switch unit which stops the operation of the heater if the inner pressure of the housing is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.

Preferably, the switch unit includes a first elastic wall disposed inside the housing and expanding according to the inner pressure of the housing, and a pair of contact switches respectively disposed on the first elastic wall and an inner surface of the housing and selectively in contact with each other according to expansion of the first elastic wall.

Preferably, the steam generator further comprises a second elastic wall provided at a specific position of the housing corresponding to the first elastic wall, wherein the contact switches are disposed on facing surfaces of the first and second elastic walls, respectively.

Preferably, the control unit includes a pressure sensor which measures the inner pressure of the housing, and a controller which controls the operation of the heater according to the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

Preferably, the pressure sensor is positioned at an upper portion of the housing.

Preferably, the controller controls a heating time of the heater according to the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

Preferably, the controller reduces a heating time of the heater as the pressure measured by the pressure sensor increases.

Preferably, the controller controls the operation of the heater to be stopped if the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.

In accordance with another purpose of the invention, a clothes treating machine comprises: a receiving space for receiving clothes; and a steam generator for selectively supplying steam into the receiving space, the steam generator having a housing for containing water, a heater for heating the water in the housing, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the heater according to an inner pressure of the housing.

In accordance with another purpose of the invention, a dish washing machine comprises: a receiving space for receiving dishes; a spray unit for supplying wash water into the receiving space; and a steam generator for selectively supplying steam into the receiving space, the steam generator having a housing for containing water, a heater for heating the water in the housing, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the heater according to an inner pressure of the housing.

In accordance with a further purpose of the invention, a controlling method of a steam generator comprises: heating water; measuring an inner pressure of a housing in which the water is heated; and controlling a water heating time according to the measured pressure.

Preferably, the step of measuring includes continuously measuring the pressure while the water is heated.

Preferably, the step of controlling includes reducing the water heating time as the measured pressure increases.

Preferably, the step of controlling further includes stopping the step of heating if the measured pressure is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view showing a configuration of a steam generator;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing a steam generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III of FIG. 2, which shows a specific configuration of a first example of the switch unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III of FIG. 2, which shows a specific configuration of a second example of the switch unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a steam generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing a controlling method of the steam generator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view showing a configuration of a steam generator.

Referring to FIG. 1, a steam generator 10 includes a housing 20 for containing water and a heater 40 for heating water in the housing 20 to generate steam. Accordingly, when water is supplied from a water supply source to the housing 20, the water contained in the housing 20 is heated by the heater 40 to generate steam and spray the steam to a desired position.

However, when the water is heated by the heater 40 to generate steam, a high pressure is generally applied to the housing 20. When a high pressure is applied to the housing 20, if a steam discharge port 60 for spraying steam is clogged with foreign matter or the like, a pressure abnormally increases in the housing 20, thereby causing damage to the housing 20 or explosion.

However, the conventional steam generator is not provided with a unit for detecting a pressure of the steam generator 10 to automatically control an operation of the steam generator 10. Accordingly, a user should manually check the pressure of the steam generator 10, thereby causing inconvenience to the user.

Thus, in order to solve the above problem, the steam generator according to the present invention includes a unit capable of controlling a heater according to an inner pressure, which will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing a steam generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a steam generator 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the housing 20 in which water is contained and heated, the heater 40 for heating water in the housing 20 to generate steam, and a control unit 120 for controlling an operation of the heater 40 according to an inner pressure of the housing 20.

Specifically, the control unit 120 controls an operation of the steam generator 100, specifically, an operation of the heater 40 to be stopped when the inner pressure of the housing 20 is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.

That is, in the steam generator 100 according to the first embodiment, when the steam discharge port 60 of the housing 20 is clogged with foreign matter such as compounds of calcium and the inner pressure of the housing 20 increases to a predetermined pressure or more while the water is heated to generate steam, the control unit 120 stops the operation of the heater 40 to prevent a further increase in the pressure, thereby preventing damage and breakage of the steam generator 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 120 may include a switch unit which generates an ‘on’ signal to stop the operation of the heater 40 when the inner pressure of the housing 20 is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.

That is, the control unit formed as the switch unit 120 generates an ‘on’ signal to stop the operation of the heater 40 when the inner pressure of the housing 20 is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. The switch unit 120 is disposed at one side of the housing 20, preferably, an upper portion of the housing 20. As for the reason, when the water in the housing 20 is boiled and the pressure increases, the steam is positioned at the upper portion of the housing 20. Accordingly, the switch unit 120 installed at the upper portion of the housing 20 can easily detect the pressure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III of FIG. 2, which shows a specific configuration of a first example of the switch unit 120.

Referring to FIG. 3, the switch unit 120 includes a first elastic wall 122 expanding according to the inner pressure of the housing 20 and a pair of contact switches 140 respectively disposed on the first elastic wall 122 and an inner surface of the housing 20 facing the first elastic wall 122. The contact switches 140 are selectively in contact with each other according to expansion of the first elastic wall 122.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, at least one portion of the housing 20 has a double wall structure having an inner wall 132 and an outer wall 130. Preferably, a portion of the inner wall 132 is formed as the first elastic wall 122 expanding according to the inner pressure of the housing 20. Accordingly, when the inner pressure of the housing 20 increases, the first elastic wall 122 can expand with an increase of the pressure.

Meanwhile, the contact switches 140 are positioned on the facing surfaces of the outer wall 130 of the housing 20 and the first elastic wall 122, respectively. As the inner pressure of the housing 20 increases, the first elastic wall 122 expands and rises. As a result, the contact switches 140 are in contact with each other to generate an ‘on’ signal. When the contact switches 140 generate a signal, a controller (not shown) receives the generated signal to stop the operation of the heater 40, thereby preventing a further increase in the inner pressure of the housing 20.

In the steam generator 100 of this embodiment, a pressure at which the contact switches 140 generate a signal can be adjusted by adjusting a material of the first elastic wall 122 or a distance between the outer wall 130 and the first elastic wall 122 on which the contact switches 140 are installed. That is, a pressure at which the contact switches 140 are in contact with each other can be increased by fabricating the first elastic wall 122 using an elastic material having a high elastic coefficient or by increasing a distance between the outer wall 130 and the first elastic wall 122.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a second example of the switch unit.

A switch unit 220 of the second example is different from the example shown in FIG. 3 in that a second elastic wall 224 is provided at a specific position of the housing 20 corresponding to a first elastic wall 222, and contact switches 240 are respectively disposed on the facing surfaces of the first and second elastic walls 222 and 224. The second example will be described focusing on the difference.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first elastic wall 222 and the second elastic wall 224 are disposed at specific positions of the inner wall 132 and the outer wall 130 of the housing 20, respectively. Preferably, the first and second elastic wall 222 and 224 are positioned to face each other, and contact switches 240 are installed on the facing surfaces of the first and second elastic walls 222 and 224, respectively.

Accordingly, in the same way as in the first example, as the inner pressure of the housing 20 increases, the first elastic wall 222 expands and the contact switches 240 are in contact with each other to generate a signal. However, the second example includes the second elastic wall 224 to more efficiently prevent breakage of the steam generator.

That is, although the operation of the heater 40 is stopped by a signal generated from the contact switches 240 as the first elastic wall 222 expands, the inner pressure of the housing 20 decreases not immediately, but after a predetermined period of time. Accordingly, although the operation of the heater 40 is stopped, since the inner pressure of the housing 20 is maintained at a high pressure for a predetermined period of time, it may cause damage and breakage of the housing 20.

However, since the second example includes the second elastic wall 224 in addition to the first elastic wall 222, after the contact switches 240 generate a signal as the first elastic wall 222 expands, the second elastic wall 224 also expands. Accordingly, although the inner pressure of the housing 20 is continuously maintained at a high pressure after the operation of the heater 40 is stopped, since both the first and second elastic walls 224 expand, it is possible to prevent breakage of the housing 20 due to an increase in the inner pressure of the housing 20.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a steam generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a steam generator 200 according to the second embodiment includes a control unit for controlling the heater 40 according to the inner pressure of the housing 20, the control unit having a pressure sensor 320 which measures the inner pressure of the housing 20 and a controller (not shown) which controls the operation of the heater 40 according to the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 320.

Specifically, the pressure sensor 320 is disposed at one side of the housing 20 and measures the inner pressure of the housing 20 to transfer the measured results to the controller. In this case, preferably, the pressure sensor 320 is installed at an upper portion of the housing 20. As for the reason, when the water in the housing 20 is boiled and the pressure increases, the steam is positioned at the upper portion of the housing 20. Accordingly, the pressure sensor 320 installed at the upper portion of the housing 20 can easily detect the pressure.

Meanwhile, the controller controls the heater 40 according to the measurement results transferred from the pressure sensor 320. That is, in the steam generator 200 according to the second embodiment, when the steam discharge port 60 of the housing 20 is clogged with foreign matter such as compounds of calcium and the inner pressure of the housing 20 increases to a predetermined pressure or more while the water is heated to generate steam, the controller controls an operation time of the heater 40 or stops the operation of the heater 40 to prevent a further increase in the pressure, thereby preventing damage and breakage of the steam generator 200.

That is, although only an on/off operation of the heater is controlled by simply detecting the inner pressure of the housing in the first embodiment, the operation time of the heater as well as the on/off operation of the heater can be controlled according to the inner pressure of the housing in the second embodiment. A more detailed description follows below.

The controller controls a heating time of the heater 40 according to a pressure measurement value transferred from the pressure sensor 320. Specifically, as the pressure measurement value transferred from the pressure sensor 320 increases, the controller reduces a water heating time. That is, as the inner pressure of the housing 20 increases, the controller controls a preset heating time to be reduced such that the inner pressure of the housing 20 does not exceed a predetermined pressure.

Further, preferably, when the pressure measurement value transferred from the pressure sensor 320 is equal to or higher than the predetermined pressure, the controller controls the operation of the heater 40 to be stopped. That is, when the inner pressure of the housing 20 is equal to or higher than the predetermined pressure, the controller controls the operation of the heater 40 to be stopped, thereby preventing a further increase in the inner pressure of the housing 20.

Thus, in the steam generator according to the second embodiment, the controller controls the operation of the heater 40 according to the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 320. Specifically, as the measured pressure increases, the controller reduces a heating time of the heater 40. Further, if the measured pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined pressure, the controller controls the operation of the heater 40 to be stopped.

Meanwhile, preferably, the pressure sensor 320 used in the present invention may be a diaphragm pressure sensor, but is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, the operation of the steam generator having the above configuration will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing the operation of the steam generator according to the aforementioned embodiments.

When the steam generator 100 or 200 according to the present invention is installed at a clothes treating machine for supplying steam to the clothes, first, water is supplied into the housing 20. An external water tap or a water cartridge may be used as a water supply source.

Then, the heater 40 is operated to generate steam. The water is heated by the operation of the heater 40 to generate the steam (S610) . The generated steam is supplied to the clothes to provide a refresh effect.

Meanwhile, when the water is heated to generate the steam, if the inner pressure of the housing 20 increases to a predetermined pressure or more due to clogging of the steam discharge port 60 of the housing 20, the pressure sensor 320 measures the inner pressure of the housing 20 (S630). Preferably, while the water is heated by the heater 40, the pressure sensor 320 continuously measures the pressure. The measured pressure is transferred to the controller.

The controller controls the operation of the heater 40 according to the measured pressure transferred from the pressure sensor 320 (S650). That is, if the inner pressure of the housing 20 increases due to, for example, clogging of the steam discharge port 60 of the housing 20, the controller reduces a preset operation time of the heater 40, thereby preventing an increase in the inner pressure of the housing 20.

Further, if the inner pressure of the housing 20 increases to a predetermined pressure or more, the controller controls the operation of the heater 40 to be stopped, thereby preventing damage and breakage of the housing 20.

Meanwhile, when the switch unit is provided as a control unit for controlling the operation of the heater, if the inner pressure of the housing 20 increases to a predetermined pressure or more due to clogging of the steam discharge port 60 of the housing 20, the switch unit 120 or 220 generates an ‘on’ signal and the controller stops the operation of the heater according to the signal, thereby preventing an increase in the inner pressure of the housing 20.

Meanwhile, although the steam generator is used in the clothes treating machine in the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the steam may be sprayed to dishes before washing the dishes in a dish washing machine. Accordingly, it is possible to easily wash the dishes.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A steam generator comprising: a housing for containing water; a heater for heating the water in the housing; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the heater according to an inner pressure of the housing.
 2. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the heater to be stopped if the inner pressure of the housing is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.
 3. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a switch unit which stops the operation of the heater if the inner pressure of the housing is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.
 4. The steam generator according to claim 3, wherein the switch unit includes: a first elastic wall disposed inside the housing and expanding according to the inner pressure of the housing; and a pair of contact switches respectively disposed on the first elastic wall and an inner surface of the housing and selectively in contact with each other according to expansion of the first elastic wall.
 5. The steam generator according to claim 4, further comprising a second elastic wall provided at a specific position of the housing corresponding to the first elastic wall, wherein the contact switches are disposed on facing surfaces of the first and second elastic walls, respectively.
 6. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes: a pressure sensor which measures the inner pressure of the housing; and a controller which controls the operation of the heater according to the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.
 7. The steam generator according to claim 6, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned at an upper portion of the housing.
 8. The steam generator according to claim 6, wherein the controller controls a heating time of the heater according to the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.
 9. The steam generator according to claim 8, wherein the controller reduces a heating time of the heater as the pressure measured by the pressure sensor increases.
 10. The steam generator according to claim 9, wherein the controller controls the operation of the heater to be stopped if the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.
 11. A clothes treating machine comprising: a receiving space for receiving clothes; and a steam generator for selectively supplying steam into the receiving space, the steam generator having a housing for containing water, a heater for heating the water in the housing, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the heater according to an inner pressure of the housing.
 12. A dish washing machine comprising: a receiving space for receiving dishes; a spray unit for supplying wash water into the receiving space; and a steam generator for selectively supplying steam into the receiving space, the steam generator having a housing for containing water, a heater for heating the water in the housing, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the heater according to an inner pressure of the housing.
 13. A controlling method of a steam generator comprising: heating water; measuring an inner pressure of a housing in which the water is heated; and controlling a water heating time according to the measured pressure.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of measuring includes continuously measuring the pressure while the water is heated.
 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of controlling includes reducing the water heating time as the measured pressure increases.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of controlling further includes stopping the step of heating if the measured pressure is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. 